September 6, 2009 pm
Studies in 1 Corinthians 17
Keeping the Church Pure
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
a.
Paul is
greatly concerned as he sees behavior “not even named among the
Gentiles.” Within the
congregation there was a couple caught up in fornication (sexual
immorality – NKJV). A man
was in an UNSCRIPTURAL relationship, having his father’s wife (described
by some as incest). A study
of Corinth will reveal it was NOT the most virtuous city in the Empire
and was known for its lose morals.
For Paul to say this about this relationship tells us it had to
be bad!
NOTE: This shows that God does NOT sanction all relationships.
We NEED to respect His boundaries even in this (cf. Matthew
19:8-9, etc.)
b.
Vs. 2
notes that they were puffed up.
This does not mean that they necessarily accepted this sinful
relationship, but at best they ignored it.
Perhaps they were worried what others thought of them.
Maybe they just kept such things to themselves reasoning that it
was a private matter (i.e. none of their business).
Do we not see many TODAY who fail to speak up for similar
reasons?
Whatever their attitudes, reasoning and reasons, Paul is upset with
their ARROGANCE (which corresponds with much of what he discussed thus
far). He will give reasons
in a moment.
c.
What
should they have done? NOT tolerated it for a moment – it should have
been immediately addressed and removed from their presence (2b)
(Ephesians 5:3 – let not such things be even named among you).
It should have been a source of
MOURNING! Sin had claimed
one (or more) of their number.
TRUE mourning about sin will ACT upon it, if necessary with
urgent and strong measures!
Consider Jude 22-23.
Consider how Jesus on two occasions drove the money changers out of the
temple.
What I am reminded of today would be churches (whether denominations or
brethren) that have “softened” their stand against homosexuality.
Instead of standing strongly for the truth, they now “accept
them” though they do not agree with their lifestyle.
(What is next????)
d.
Vs. 3
speaks of Paul having already made judgment.
The point being he had all the facts before him and was able to
make sound judgment with those facts.
This passage tells us that need to make doctrinal and moral judgments
based upon the truth (John 7:24).
e.
In the
latter part of vs. 3 I see Paul exercising his apostolic authority.
Though absent, he speaks as though he were present with them (by
the authority of God – cf. 1 Cor. 14:37).
f.
Based upon
the truth, they needed to withdraw from this brother “in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ” when they were gathered together (vs. 4-5).
The degree to which they were to act, “deliver such a one to
Satan.” He was to be cast
out of the congregation as long as he remained in that state and treated
in such a way that he would desire to return to the Lord.
g.
Vs. 6 –
Paul again rebukes their arrogance and explains why.
When you allow “a little sin” in your midst, it WILL grow and
eventually affect the whole congregation.
h.
Vs. 7 –
THEREFORE (the answer is to) purge out the old leaven that you may be a
new lump.
i.
Vs. 7b-8 –
Paul’s ultimate desire – their purity.
Remember it was Christ (who is our Passover) who was sacrificed
for us. I believe that in
vs. 8 Paul is making reference to the Lord’s Supper specifically, but
more generally to all we do – it must be executed with purity (i.e. as a
church we are striving to be what Jesus expects us to be.)
a.
Scriptural marriage IS important.
Let us never forget this.
When one is married they need to know that it is for life
(Matthew 19:4-6, Hebrews 13:4, Rom. 7:1-3).
b.
We
cannot tolerate immorality in the church
– there is a need to keep the Lord’s church pure.
Ephesians 5:25-27 speaks of Christ’s church being “without spot
or wrinkle or any such tings, but that she should be holy and without
blemish.” We have an
obligation to strive to keep her that way – both doctrinally and
morally. Revelation 2:20-23
– the church at Ladoicea was allowing immorality to be taught and
tolerated. They were
commanded to repent.
WE CANNOT compromise the truth concerning His pattern, her work (the
church) or worship. Further,
we have a responsibility to encourage all members to live as pure as
possible (1 Cor. 6:18, Ephesians 4:13, 2 Cor. 12:20-21, Colossians
3:5-9, 1 Tim. 5:22, etc.)
Such blatant blindness is arrogance in God’s eyes.
Whenever a church IGNORES God’s standards there is arrogance in
their midst as they follow the teachings of man instead of the teachings
of God.
c.
The
need for discipline
This text is RIGHTLY used
to demonstrate the need for church discipline.
The church at Corinth needed to practice discipline against this
sinning brother.
Church discipline is actually a process which culminates with
withdrawing from an unrepentant brother after all other efforts have
been exhausted.
Matthew 18:15-18 gives us a pattern to follow in dealing with sinning
brethren. Do we respect that
pattern?
When all else fails we are told frequently to withdraw from the sinning
brother – Romans 16:17, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15.
d.
The
danger of leaven.
In this text, let us clearly understand this point!
Whenever we allow a little sin or immorality to go unchecked, it
is only a matter of time before it goes further.
Like the camp fire that is left unattended in the midst of a dry
forest.
There are many churches today that are beginning to turn their head away
from certain sins (especially M-D-R, but also modest dress, dancing,
social drinking, etc.). They
are more concerned about tickling the ears of their members (2 Tim.
4:2-4) than teaching the truth that cuts to the heart.
Heed the warning, you let a little immorality go today; expect it
to be taken further in the next generation!
LOOK AT HISTORY! It
doesn’t lie! No apostasy of
the church happened over night.
Consider the denominations where they are today compared to when
they started. Consider the
Catholic Church where it is today compared to when it started (and how
it started with a gradual process over 500 years of corrupting the
organization of the local church, etc.).
Consider how some of our brethren who about 50-60 years ago divided over
how to use the church treasury and some are now seeking full fellowship
with denominations and looking for ways to make the church “more
relevant”.
ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION, when you let something go that you need to
deal with, it is only a matter of time before it grows worse and
eventually out of control.
Brethren, MORE than once we are given this warning: Galatians 5:9, “A
little leaven leavens the whole lump”; 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Evil
company corrupts good habits.”